The ASX200 is tipped to begin the short trading week in positive territory: Futures suggesting a 0.11 per cent rise.
US markets were subdued at the end of last week, except for the Nasdaq which added 0.2 per cent thanks to another 3 per cent gain by Nvidia.
In stocks to watch as the market opens this morning: ANZ (ASX:ANZ) will pay $57.5 million in a settlement for a class action brought against it by Phi Finney McDonald in 2021 around interest charged on some credit cards between 2010 and 2019. The settlement is without liability and is covered by existing provisions.
Child care centre operator G8 Education (ASX:GEM) has reached an agreement on settling the class action lodged against it by Slater & Gordon – on behalf of shareholders – four years ago. The $46.5 million settlement, comes without admission of liability. With insurance and provisions, G8 Education claims there’ll be no profit and loss impact to this year’s results.
To materials: Future Battery Metals (ASX:FBM) is buying 85 per cent of Coolgardie Nickel Pty Ltd – a subsidiary of Corazon Mining (ASX:CZN), because it holds the Miriam Lithium Project. The tenements are directly north of Future Battery Metals’ existing Kangaroo Hills lithium project. The company will announce the outcome of a Placement to sophisticated and professional investors mid-week.
And defence and space tech company Electro Optic Systems Holdings (ASX:EOS) has raised $35 million through an institutional placement
One Australian dollar is buying US$65.1 cents, iron ore has picked up 2.75 (2.77) per cent to US$111.50, gold has shed three quarters of a per cent to US$2165; brent crude has been trading around US$85.58 and natural gas has been lower at US$1.68 per million British thermal units.